Kay Martin


Kay Martin was a hotelier and ex-model, nightclub entertainer, and "party album" singer, who owned the Kay Martin Lodge in Reno, Nevada.
Born in Bakersfield, California and part Cherokee Indian, modeling saw her featured in both Adam and Playboy magazines. She then met Jess Hotchkiss and Bill Elliott, who together established a nightclub act circa 1952, billing themselves as "Kay Martin & [Her Body Guards|Kay Martin and Her Body Guards]". The group later added Tony Bellson on drums. Martin was married to Hotchkiss for a time as well.
In between shows they recorded several live albums, their most popular being the 1962 Christmas album I Know What He Wants For Christmas... But I Don't Know How To Wrap It!. The songs ranged from covers of traditional songs to double entendre and jokey banter.
Martin left performing for a business life, becoming the proprietor of the Kay Martin Lodge with David Mullins in 1956.

Selected discography

Albums

  • "Kay Martin and Her Body Guards" 1958
  • "Kay Martin At The Lorelei" 1960
  • "I Know What He Wants For Christmas…But I Don't Know How to Wrap It!" 1960
  • "Kay Martin At Las Vegas" 1962, reissued on circa 1970
  • "Kay Martin Sings Naughty And Nice Songs" 1965 compilation
Note: ''"Kay Martin At Las Vegas" is a reissue of the album "Kay Martin At The Lorelei" and over the years has been re-released several times on various labels and with different covers.''

Singles

  • "Fever" / "The Heel" / "Summertime" / "Johnny Guitar" Germany 1958 extended play
  • "Take My Love" / "Ooh La-La" 1958
  • "I'm Gonna Set Fire To My House" / "I've Found Peace Of Mind" 1959
  • "Come By Sunday" / "No More Tears To Cry" 1959
  • "Fever" / "The Heel" / "Summertime" / "Johnny Guitar" Netherlands 1962 ''extended play''